Stories by Astrid Fiano
DOTmed HealthCare Business News
New Jersey releases rules on medical marijuana
by Astrid Fiano 10/10/2010Latest state to allow treatment has set up registration program.
DEA has new guidelines to expedite meds to LTCF residents
by Astrid Fiano 10/10/2010Agent may be authorized to call in prescriptions.
Providence Health wins suit claiming negligence with patient records
by Astrid Fiano 10/08/2010Appeals court dismisses class action claim.
Mich. judge upholds 'individual mandate'
by Astrid Fiano 10/08/2010Court holds that health reform is constitutional.
Report: Nurses must up leadership, physician group disagrees
by Astrid Fiano 10/06/2010A new report by the Institute of Medicine says nurses should take on leadership roles in health care overhaul, eliciting criticism from some doctors.
FDA: public comment wanted on surveys of consumer understanding
by Astrid Fiano 10/06/2010Information to be used for better communication of risks in medical products.
Synthes, Norian plead guilty in adulterated bone cement products case
by Astrid Fiano 10/06/2010Federal agencies say that unauthorized use of product in surgery was deadly.
Calif. bill to seal murdered children's autopsies
by Astrid Fiano 10/01/2010Records of murdered children will be sealed from public access.
Disabled adults protection bill heads to Pa. governor
by Astrid Fiano 10/01/2010Bill would establish new system of reporting and investigation of abuse.
House approves bill to protect community health center volunteers
by Astrid Fiano 09/29/2010Federal malpractice coverage would be extended under proposed legislation.
Bill to help vets' parents with nursing homes passes Congress
by Astrid Fiano 09/29/2010President will now consider legislation.
Community hospital closure bill presented to NY Governor
by Astrid Fiano 09/29/2010Bill would require public forum to determine impact of closing.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launches public health law network
by Astrid Fiano 09/24/2010Program to help professionals apply law to public health situations.
CMS releases self-referral disclosure protocol
by Astrid Fiano 09/24/2010Process helps in disclosing potential violations of Stark Law.
Volcano files counterclaim in St. Jude lawsuit
by Astrid Fiano 09/22/2010Company claims patents are unenforceable.
Iowa Department of Health starts HAI initiative partnerships
by Astrid Fiano 09/22/2010Education, prevention strategies focus on two deadly infections.
CMS has proposed rules on screening categories for fraud, waste and abuse
by Astrid Fiano 09/22/2010Providers and practitioners to be categorized according to risk potential.
House committee looks at DME competitive bidding
by Astrid Fiano 09/17/2010Benefits and concerns over controversial program reviewed in hearing.
Michigan AG sues to stop raise in Medicare gap insurance
by Astrid Fiano 09/17/2010But Blue Cross says AG is acting unfairly in suit.
Census Bureau: health insurance coverage decreased by 1. 5 million in 2009
by Astrid Fiano 09/16/2010First time in decades that number of those with coverage has dropped.
Lenox files antitrust suit against Medtronic
by Astrid Fiano 09/15/2010Suit claims bone mill was wrongfully maligned in favor of more expensive product.
Company accused of selling non-existent insurance
by Astrid Fiano 09/15/2010Real Benefits allegedly set up scheme selling fake policies.
Medical debt's 'underreported' toll
by Astrid Fiano 09/10/2010Medical debt-related bankruptcies rise. But experts hope new legislation will bring relief.
Focus on health care reform: changes in 2015 and beyond
by Astrid Fiano 09/08/2010A few final provisions on Medicare and insurance changes.
New York releases third annual report on hospital-acquired infections
by Astrid Fiano 09/06/2010Report shows significant drop in surgical site infections.
Invacare alleges patent violation of its adjustable-height beds
by Astrid Fiano 09/06/2010Company files complaint against Drive Medical and China-based equipment manufacturer.
Lone Star State takes aim at 'pill mills'
by Astrid Fiano 09/06/2010Texas medical board begins pain management clinic registration
Former Spectranetics execs indicted for illegally importing devices
by Astrid Fiano 09/01/2010Indictment alleges unapproved medical devices used in patients.
Thomson Reuters acquires Healthcare Data Management, Inc.
by Astrid Fiano 09/01/2010Company will be added to Thomson's health care and science division.
Focus on health care reform: public programs and wellness projects in 2014
by Astrid Fiano 09/01/2010Incentives will be available for individuals to join wellness programs.
Aetna files federal complaint against Laboratory Corporation of America
by Astrid Fiano 08/31/2010Suit claims LabCorp misused confidential information for referrals.
Indiana reports fewer medical errors in health care facilities
by Astrid Fiano 08/31/2010Serious reportable incidents including pressure sores have decreased in past year.
Focus on health reform: individual mandate, insurance exchanges
by Astrid Fiano 08/25/2010Exchanges to buy affordable health insurance will be implemented in each state.
Minnesota senators focus on FDA medical device approval
by Astrid Fiano 08/25/2010Klobuchar, Franken target improvements in device approval process.
Wisc. women's prison medical neglect case wraps up
by Astrid Fiano 08/23/2010Agreement would address alleged deficiencies in women's health care for inmates.
Mass. law aims to stop "doctor shopping," control OxyContin epidemic
by Astrid Fiano 08/23/2010Law to prevent doctor shopping, overdose.
Illinois governor signs legislation on emergency medical care
by Astrid Fiano 08/23/2010Law will provide for standards in critical care transport.
Oregon patient safety commission releases new report on state hospitals
by Astrid Fiano 08/23/2010Improvement shown in patient safety but more work needed.
Medical societies petition to be included in Red Flags Rule Lawsuit
by Astrid Fiano 08/19/2010Twenty-six societies want declaration that rule does not apply to physicians.
Focus on health reform: transparency and taxes
by Astrid Fiano 08/18/2010New reporting requirements on gifts to health care practitioners; tax on device makers.
New York governor signs new health care bills into law
by Astrid Fiano 08/17/2010Criminal laws expanded for organ theft, assaulting nurses.
FCC asking for comment on using broadband for quality health care
by Astrid Fiano 08/16/2010Reforms would implement program for rural broadband access.
AHA files Supreme Court amicus brief in medical resident tax case
by Astrid Fiano 08/16/2010Organization argues medical residents should be considered students.
Endologix denies infringement of Bard Peripheral patent
by Astrid Fiano 08/16/2010Company says evaluations and legal reviews support its position.
Best Medical files patent suit against Accuray
by Astrid Fiano 08/12/2010Claims former employees gave away IMRT tech secrets.
Federal judge allows U.S. to be a party in St. Jude whistleblower suit
by Astrid Fiano 08/11/2010Case involves allegations of post-market studies kickbacks.
Former employee brings federal suit against PartsSource, Inc.
by Astrid Fiano 08/10/2010Former worker claims employment discrimination.
Focus on health care reform: new programs in Medicare
by Astrid Fiano 08/10/2010Programs with goals of better cost savings, quality of care.
Bill would increase EHR incentives for multi-campus systems
by Astrid Fiano 08/09/2010Proposal would allow for more equitable payments.
Expert explains industry's hopes for CMS demonstration project
by Astrid Fiano 08/09/2010Results could further use of electronic clinical decision support.